The annual review of the Eyre Peninsula Demand and Supply Statement, released today, shows that the South Australian region’s drinking water supplies are secure until at least 2023-24.

Department for Water Executive Director, Policy and Strategy, Julia Grant, says the review of the State’s first Demand and Supply Statement is part of an ongoing commitment to assessing water security across the State to 2050.

“The review is based on the most recent, best available information, provided by a range of organisations including local government, state agencies and industry. The data covers aspects such as actual water use, climate change impacts, population growth and industry development,” Ms Grant said.

“There have been a number of significant changes in the past 12 months which have led to a 2,040 ML surplus of drinking quality water recorded in the Eyre Peninsula region, compared with projected worst-case scenario surplus of 904 ML.

“It is important that we continue to monitor those changes and review the needs of our communities appropriately.”

As well as the climate change report, other key factors that have led to the updated demand-supply projections include:

Total licensed allocations from the Southern Basins and Musgrave Prescribed Wells Areas will increase in 2012-2013 based on recharge to the aquifers

Advice, derived from Australian Bureau of Statistics data, suggests that population growth rates in the region should be revised to a lower rate

Demand for water from the mining sector is expected to be higher, however, the supply of water for the mining sector from private desalinated seawater supplies is also likely to be higher and therefore counteract the demand.